Anyone recommend a USB WiFi adapter for G5 Powermac?

JohnB

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Feb 18, 2013, 11:30:59 AM2/18/13

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I have inherited a late-2005 G5 Power mac that has no airport card. I
realise it would require an airport card with a special adapter and
these are a bit rare and expensive and as it is only going to need
occasional connection I don't want to spend a fortune on it. It will be
sited upstairs and a long way from the router - so don't want to run cable.

So can anyone recommend a plug in USB wifi adapter (N) that they know
works on this Mac - think it's on 10.5 at the moment.

Thanks

JohnB

JohnB

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Feb 18, 2013, 11:39:06 AM2/18/13

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On 18/02/2013 16:30, JohnB wrote:

> So can anyone recommend a plug in USB wifi adapter (N) that they know
> works on this Mac - think it's on 10.5 at the moment.

One working with Airport Utility (rather than its own software) would be
a big plus as well !

--
JohnB

Jon B

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Feb 18, 2013, 12:00:28 PM2/18/13

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Usually for those there's a PCI card

<http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wireless-WiFi-11n-PCI-E-Card-Mac-Pro-G5-Airpo
rt-300Mbps-/370378756710>
appears to be the ticket, most of them work out of the box with the
Airport software.
--
Jon B
Above email address IS valid.
<http://www.bramley-computers.co.uk/> Apple Sales, Service & Support.

JohnB

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Feb 18, 2013, 12:13:29 PM2/18/13

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On 18/02/2013 17:00, Jon B wrote:
> JohnB <john.bren...@ntlworld.com> wrote:
>
>> I have inherited a late-2005 G5 Power mac that has no airport card. I
>> realise it would require an airport card with a special adapter and
>> these are a bit rare and expensive and as it is only going to need
>> occasional connection I don't want to spend a fortune on it. It will be
>> sited upstairs and a long way from the router - so don't want to run cable.
>>
>> So can anyone recommend a plug in USB wifi adapter (N) that they know
>> works on this Mac - think it's on 10.5 at the moment.
>>
> Usually for those there's a PCI card
>
> <http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wireless-WiFi-11n-PCI-E-Card-Mac-Pro-G5-Airpo
> rt-300Mbps-/370378756710>
> appears to be the ticket, most of them work out of the box with the
> Airport software.
>

Hi Thanks Jon. I was a bit wary of the PCI card route because as you
well know in G4's it's critical on the chip set whether they work at all
and with only a subset of those working with Airport software and then
dependent OS the Mac OS.

So... this looks OK (albeit it's in Hong Kong) but have you ever
installed and tested one ?

I was contemplating this USB one

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Technologies-802-11N-150Mbps-Wireless-Compatible/dp/B0035FVL4G/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1361205380&sr=1-1

--
JohnB

Graham J

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Feb 18, 2013, 12:27:53 PM2/18/13

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An alternative would be to get a wireless access point and connect it to
the Mac via short length of Ethernet cable. Then the Mac need know
nothing whatever about the wireless connection (it simply gets its IP
address from the router), and you configure the access point with the
correct security key to talk to your router.

You can also locate the access point in the best location for the
wireless signal, whereas a USB device sticking out of the back of the
Mac probably won't be the best place.

--
Graham J

RJH

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Feb 18, 2013, 2:13:37 PM2/18/13

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Or a powerline? They've come down a bit of late, c.Ł30/pr.

Rob

Fred McKenzie

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Feb 18, 2013, 8:20:54 PM2/18/13

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In article <aof3cc...@mid.individual.net>,

JohnB-

You can set up an AirPort Express to act as a WiFi access point as
Graham J suggested.

This may not work with the original AirPort Express, but does with later
versions. AirPort Utility should work with it.

Fred

Gwynne Harper

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Feb 19, 2013, 4:16:43 PM2/19/13

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JohnB <john.bren...@ntlworld.com> wrote:

> One working with Airport Utility (rather than its own software) would be
> a big plus as well !

If the other ideas don't work out I can heartily recommned a
BearExtender, although they do have their own software.

Gwynne
--
My real email is net, not line.

Jon B

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Feb 20, 2013, 9:14:51 AM2/20/13

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Unfortunately not used either, I used a Belkin card in my old G4 MDD,
but then every G5 I've used has been on hard wire or factory Wifi.
Reviews seem good on that USB stick though.

JohnB

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Feb 20, 2013, 1:18:27 PM2/20/13

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Thanks Jon - in the end I went for the Edimax Nano that my Pi mates had
recommended very cheap (£8.95 inc. del.) - see link. Drivers for 10.4
- 10.8 on their site. It's working perfectly well, albeit with it's own
software - but it's no problem, remembers password and connects fine
first time. Not done any formal tests on it yet but it feels just as
fast as the Macbook in downloading webpages and small files etc. Looks
perfect so far for my occasional use.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/330782522886;jsessionid=5C76769DFB842B3A13670B68FE1467C7?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_sacat%3D0%26_nkw%3D330782522886%26_rdc%3D1

--
JohnB

Stephen Moll

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Feb 22, 2013, 6:22:23 AM2/22/13

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How about a Ethernet to Wifi bridging device, e.g.:
Vonage VAP11G for 802.11bg, should be found for less than £20.
Netgear WNCE2001 for 802.11bgn, should be found for less than £30.

Once setup, the PowerMac will simply see an Ethernet connection, so no driver issues and what-not.

Sara

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Feb 22, 2013, 7:44:14 AM2/22/13

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In article <b450ec46-dec5-4fb2...@googlegroups.com>,

I know a few people that use these and they seem to work seamlessly.

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Billy doesn't clean his paws often enough. Mucky cat.